Brake-gear for winding machinery.



H. J. DEBAUGHE.

BRAKE GEAR FOR WINDING MACHINERY. APPLiOATION FILED APR. 2a, 1908.

900,671. Patented 001;. 6,1908.

H. J. DBBAUGHR BRAKE GEAR FOR WINDING MACHINERY.

APPLIUATIOH FILED APR; 28, 1908.

Patefited 0012.6, 1908.

s'annms-snnnw 2.

7R5 uonms PETERS 5a., wnsmmrrou; n. c.

H. J'- DEBAUCHE. BRAKE GEAR FOR WINDING MACHINERY. Ayrmcynon 311312123.28,1903. 900, Patented 0013. 6, 1908. s spams-$33M a.

HUBEBT JOSEPH DEBAUGHE, OF GILLY, BELGIUM.

BRAKE-GEAR FOR WINDING- MACHINERY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I-IUBERT J osnrrr DE- BAUCHE, a subject of the Kingof the Belgians, residing at Gilly, in the Kingdom of Belgium, haveinvented new and useful Im- I provements in Brake-Gear for WindingMachinery, of which the following is a specification.

In winding machinery the question of brake gear arranged to stop thewinding cages has always presented the greatest interest by reason ofthe grave and relatively frequent accidents caused by the absence ofsafety gear which will afiord the desirable guarantees. This interest isincreased in proportion to the increase of depth of the pit shafts whichinvolves the high speed of winding and thus increases, the danger ofoperation of the cages.

Generally winding machinery is furnished with the following safetyapparatus:

(A) A main power device of such power that the unwinding of the gear is'impossible even if steam is operating on the piston. This power deviceis put into action by hand by the driver or automatically.

(B) A mechanism called a prevention device putting the main power deviceinto action automatically if the cage passes a certain height above thepit mouth level.

Experience has shown manytimes the nonefficiency and even danger ofthesedevices. In effect the putting in action of the main power device upon awinding gear operated at high speed has always involved grave dangereither to the machinery or to other parts of the installation. Furtherwhen the cage traverses the pit mouth at a great speed, as it passes thecriticalspace (consisting of the intermediate space which it ought notto pass between the. pit mouth and the winding pulleys above) in a veryshort time, i. e. in a small fraction of a second the accident occursbefore the mechanism of the said 1 prevention device has been able toput the main power device into action. In other words thetime necessaryfor the prevention device to put the main power device into action isgreater than the time taken by the cage to traverse the critical spaceif it is operated at a great speed.

It follows from the preceding that the devices A and B are only able tooperate suitably if the rising cage passes the surface of the pit mouthwith a very small velocity, 71. 0. when the danger ism'l, or nearly so.In

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 28, 1908. Serial N 0. 429,666.

Patented Oct. 6, 1908.

consequence it is indispensable that each winding machine independentlyof the devices A and B indicated above be furnished with a device whichmay be called a light power device adapted to fulfil the followingconditions:

1. To be put instantaneously into action upon a winding engine whichturns at its greatest velocity in developing its maximum work and tostop it in a relatively short time and without causing any damage.

2. To be variable, 2'. e. that it may go on increasing from the startingin action up to the stoppage of the machine. At this moment the powershould be such that the machine cannot be moved under the action of thecages.

3. To be put into action by hand by the driver irrespective of theposition of the cages in the shaft. To be controlled by the same leveras the main power device, 71. e. by virtue of the simple hand lever thedriver should be able to actuate either the light power device only orthe two power devlces together.

4. To operate automatically in the dangerous zone of the shaft. Thelength of the dangerous zone is such that if it is supposed that thelight power device commences to operate upon the apparatus moving at itsmaximum velocity when the rising cage enters this zone, the machine maybe completely stopped before the rising cage reaches the surface of thepit mouth.

5. At the moment of passage of the rising cage into the dangerous zoneto continuously control the velocity of the apparatus up to the arrivalof the cage at the pit mouth, and if the slowing of the apparatus is notsuch as to insure the arrival of the cake at the surface with a velocityequal or less than the very small velocity assigned wit that avoidsdanger, then to automatically come into action and stop the apparatus.

6. To be capable of operating at all times as well as for the time therising cage is in the dangerous zone, 2'. e. the brake will stop themachine as many times as the driver deviates from the prescribed speed.

7 The apparatus having been stopped and being immovable under the actionof the light power-device the mechanism of this latter tobe capable ofbeing freed and ready to act afresh and instantaneously so as to allowthe driver to continue the ascension.

8. At the commencement of a descent the apparatus may attain veryrapidly its regular velocity which is so much the better for the goodutilization of the steam without the apparatus of the light power devicein juring the working of the apparatus.

The brake mechanisms in the drawings completely satisfy all theserequirements, and they are represented as applied to a pendulum brake,but it follows that they can beapplied on the brake in a pit or-anyother brake space.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the principalparts of the hoisting apparatus and controlling means therefor, partsbeing in section; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the auxiliarysteam cylinder and its valves; Fig. 3 is a like view of the main powerdevice on the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 4, including a sectional view ofone of the valves of the auxiliary cylinder; Fig. 4 is a general planview of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, the steam cylinders being insection, and Fig. 5 is an en larged detail of the variable automaticstop mechanism to be hereinafter described.

Throughout the following detail descrip tion and on the several figuresof the drawings similar parts are referred to by like referencecharacters.

The mechanism disclosed comprises:

(1) Abalance lever A upon which act two pistons O and E. u

A brake cylinder B in which operates piston O. The rod C of this latteris fixed to the balance lever A in such manner that this latter will belowered when the piston O descends, while the balance lever can descendwithout drawing with it the piston C. On the piston. rod O is suspendeda counterweight F. The cylinder B, the piston O and the counterweight Fconstitute the main power device.

(3) A light brake cylinder D in which operates a piston E of which therod E is connected directly in its vertical movement with the balancelever A, and this latter cannot move vertically without drawing with itthe piston E and inversely. The cylinder D is furnished with two valveboxes arranged in series (Fig. 2) in such manner that the steam arrivingby the orifice D passes the first valve box to enter the second by theorifice D The valve boxes are furnished each with a valve of which onethe valve G is controlled by the drivers hand and the other the valve Hreceives its motion from an automatic mechanism independent of thedriver.

(4) An axle I controlled by the drivers lever either directly or by asystem of levers and rods. On this axle is fixed a bell crank lever J ofwhich one of the two arms controls by means of a vertical rod J thevalve K of the cylinder B (Fig. 3) and of which the other arm controlsby means of a horizontal rod J another bell crank lever L. This latterengages in its turn by means of a vertical rod L the valve G of which itis a part (Fig. 2).

Upon the axle M is mounted a loose lever N having three arms of whichthe horizontal arm controls by means of a vertical rod N the valve H(Fig. 2). The lower arm controls the throttle valve O disposed .in themain steam pipe between the regulator of the engine and the boilers. Theupper arm of N receives its movement from a counter balance P by theintermediation of the levers R, Q and rod Q The axle S on which is fixedthe levers .R, Q is disposed in such a way as to be controlled by aspecial lever within-reach of the driver.

The counterbalance P is held suspended by means of a rod T of which theguided upper end is movable vertically and is adapted to hang itself onto a knuckle lever U oscillating about a fixed point X (Figs. l and 5).The knuckle lever U in influenced in the first place by a rod V pivotedto a fixed point and furnished with a balancing spring which forciblymaintains the said knuckle lever in contact with the rod T in order thatthe vibrations of the machine may not in any case produce an untimelyunhooking of the rod T and the fall of the counterweight P. It evidentthatthe rod V can be replaced by any spring or a counterweight acting onthe knuckle lever for maintaining the hooking action of the rod T. Theknuckle lever Uis also influenced by the rods Z and Y pivotedrespectively at the ends of two small free levers a and Z) oscillatingabout the axes f and (Z. On the axes c and oscillate two other freelevers c and 7 each furnished with a counteiwveight. and f, the objectof these counterweights being to always bring back the levers c and 7"into a nearly vertical position. The counterweight arm of the lever c isprovided with a tappet adapted to contact with the lever (t and causethe lever a to rotate positively with the lever c in a rotation set upfrom the right towards the left about the center 0. Consequently if forany reason the lever 0 moves from the right to the left it engages inits movement the lever a which in turn will operate the knuckle lever Uby the intermediatimi of the rod Z and will thus effect the unhooliingof the rod T and consequently the fall of the counterweight P. On thecontrary if the lever c is moved from left to right, it separates itselffrom the lover a inclining itself towards the right and will thereaftenretake its quasi vertical position under the action of its counterweightwhen the force which moved it shall have ceased to act. Similarly thelever f will operate the lever 7) in its oscillatory movement from leftto right and it oscillates independent of the lever 11 from right toleft.

lltl

llltl The axes 0 and (Z are carried by the bent the upper side of thepiston E. In conselevers g and h oscillating respectively about fixedpoints i and 7' while the other arms of the two bent levers are pivotedon the same rod h which receives its motion from the governor 7 When thegovernor Z is in its lower posi tion (that. shown in Fig. 1) the twolevers e and f occupy the lower position indicated in Figs. 1 and 5 butit is at once seen that if the governor'l rises and travels towards itsup per position, the bent levers g and h oscillating about. the fixedpoints z' and j under the action of the said governor, the levers e andf will be raised bodily very nearly ver tical and will reach a higherposition than that indicated on the drawing and corresponding to theupper position of the governor Z. Further a screwed spindle m connectedwith the main shaft by means of a series of gear wheels operates a nut nin one direction or the other according to the rotation of theapparatus. This nut is provided with two inclined parts 0 and 79 eachcom posed of a series of small steps;-the vertical faces of the steps ofthe part 0 are adapted to engage against the end of the lever e on thenut being moved from right to left, and it is easily understood that ifthe governor is in the upper position it is the upper step g whichengages-the end of the lever 6 while if the governor Z occupies thelower position, it is the step 1" which engages the lever e.

The lever 6 being engaged by any one of the steps of the part 0 willoscillate from right to left and will operate the lever a in theopposite direction and will bring'about thus the unhooking of the rod Tand the fall of the counterweight. When the nut 71. moves from left tori ht the vertical faces of the steps of the part 29 will act in a'similar manner on the end of the lever f.

Method of Operation of the Light Power Dem'ce.

A. By hcmd.Supposing that the driver operates the lever I on the axle Iand brings it to the middle position the valve K (Fig. 3) is moved fromthe upper toward the lower position but without covering up the lowerport bringing the steam under the piston. It follows that as regards themain power device nothing is changed and the piston C and thecounterweight F continue to occupy their upper positions correspondingto that of the released power device. At the same time the valve G (Fig.2) is also moved from above towards the bottom but its travel iscalculated so that for the half travel of the drivers lever the valve Gcovers the lower port communicating with the under side of the pistonthus putting this latter in communication with the atmosphere; at thesame time the said valve G uncovers the upper port admitting steam toquence of this the balance lever A not being retained by the steampressure under the piston E falls sharply sliding upon the piston rod Cand tightens the light power device; as the upper port admitting thesteam above the piston E is relatively small, the steam notinstantaneously filling the volume produced by the descending piston Eat boiler pressure it follows that the tightening of the light powerdevice is only made at the outset under theaction of the dead weight ofthe balance lever A and the piston E with its rod E The steamfiowingthrough the upper port in the space above the'piston E the force of thebrake increases until the steam pressure in the space becomesstationary. At this moment the force of the light power device attainsits maximum. Assuming now that the driver again takes the hand leverwhich is in the half stroke position and pushes it onward to the pointopposite the original position, immediately the valve K covers up thelower port and the steam which is under the piston C is put intocommunication with the atmosphere. It follows that the piston C drawn bythe counterweight F descends and rests its weight in its turn upon thebalance lever A by means of a shoulder on the piston rod C (Fig. 1). Themain power device is then also applied.

If the driver draws his lever back to the starting point, the two valvesG and K are put into the positions indicated in the draw ings (Figs. 2and 3) and the steam is reintroduced under the pistons C and E, hencethe two power devices will he released.

It will be seen from the foregoing that owing to the mode of attachmentof the piston rods'O and E on the balance lever A and to the mechanismshown in the drawing, it is possible to operate by means of a singlehand lever :-(a) The light power device only. (b) The light power deviceand the main power device simultaneously, both acting on the same brakepulley by the same weights and the same balance lever.

B. Automatic light power dcm'ce.Assume that the rising cage enters thedangerous zone of the shaft with a speed corresponding to the maximumspeed of the apparatus. At this moment the governor Z will occupy asabove seen its upper position and consequently the two vertical levers cand f will occupy their upper position. It will be assumed that the nutn is moved from right to left on the shaft m and is placed in theposition indicated in the drawing. If the driver does not slacken thespeed of the machine it will be seen that the step Q will comeinevitably into contact with the end of the lever and moving the lever cfrom right to left will effect the unhooking of the rod Z acting on theknuckle lever U. The rod T being unhooked falls sharply under the actionof the counterweight P (or of the spring in place thereolfl) and thefall of this counterweight, by reason of the levers R, Q, N, and therods shown in the drawing in'nnediately effects: (a) The closure of thethrottle valve 0, and complete cutting otl' ot' the steam from the motorcylinders of the machine. (b) The movement of the valve H from above tobelow (Fig.

The valve H in descending re-covers the lower port, and puts the underside of the piston in communication wit-h the atmosphere, and further,it un-covers the upper port, admitting steam from the boiler direct tothe top of the piston F. In consequence, the balance lever A, no longerbeing retained by the pressure of steam under the piston E, fallssharply sliding the length of the piston rod C and tightening the lightbrake; as the upper port bringing the steam to the top of the piston isrelatively small, the steam does not instantaneously till the cylinderD, and it follows that the applying of the light power device is onlyeffected at the beginning under the action of the dead weight of thebalance lever A and of the piston E with its-rod. The steam flowingthrough the upper port into the space above the piston E, the force ofthe brake increases until the pressure of the steam in this spacebecomes stationary. At this moment the power of the light power devicehas attained its maximum. This maximum power of the light power devicecan be regulated at will in the following manner :In the part of thecylinder D above the piston is arranged a passage 0 of sufficientlylarge diameter which communicates by means of a pipe with a cock toclose to the driver and from which the steam can escape into theatmosphere. It is easily understood that if this cock is completely opena minimum pressure as low may be desired can be obtained above thepiston E. Further, by closing the cock to more or less, it will bepossible to use all steam pressures between the minimum pressure asdescribed above and boiler pressure. As the force of the light powerdevice is proportionate to the steam pressure which exists above thepiston it will be seen that by the arrangementindicated it is easy tovary with precision the maximum power of the light power device withinthe widest limits, which is a great advantage.

The apparatus being stopped under the action of the light power device,the governor assumes its lower position as also do the levers e and Ifthe driver operates the axle S so to raise the rod T with thecounterweight P the rod T will automatically hook itself to the knucklelever U under the action of the spring within the rod V and at the sametime the valve H will retake the position shown in the drawing Fig.while the throttle valve 0 will be opened.

The steam being admitted under the piston E the light power device willbe immediately released and the apparatus will be ready to move. It thedriver puts his machine into action too sharply the governor risesimmediately and presents the lever c in front of another step so as tobring about a fresh stoppage of the apparatus. ll when the rising cageenters within the dangerous zone of the pit shaft the speed ol? theapparatus is slackened andv it this slackening is ett'ected continuouslyand suitably so as to bring the cage to the pit moulh level with a speedinvolving no danger, the governor dcscends and will gradually arrive atits lowcr position while the lever will successively pass in front ofall the stops without engaging them and the cage will arrive at the pitmonth without the light power device being operated.

I claim 1. The hercindescribed controller for hoisting apparatuscomprising. in combination, a brake, a. main power device, a connectingelement associated operat ively therewith, an auxiliary power deviceconnected to said element, automatic operating means .lor one of thepower devices, andv means whereby the auxiliary power device may operatethe brake througl'i said connecting element either alone or inconjunction. with the main power device.

'2. The hereindescribed controllerjl orhoisting apparatus comprising. incombination, a brake, a main power device, a balance lever between saidpower device and the brake, an auxiliary power device connected to saidlever, automatic operating means lor one of the power devices, and meansto ap ply power to said brake through said balance lever either by oneof said power devices acting alone orin conjunction with the other.

3. In hoisting apparatus. the c m1bination with friction means. of abalance lever connected thereto, a main power device so associated withsaid lever as to operate the same in one direction, an auxiliary powerdevice connected to said lever to hold the same. in position to beengaged by the main power device or to operate the lever independentlyof the main power device and automatic operating means :lior one ol thepower devices.

4. In hoisting apparatus. the combination with a brake. a lever. and amain power device associated therewith. (ii an auxiliary power deviceconnected to said brahe lever to operate the same indcpendently or incon junction with the main power device. automatic operating means forone 01 the power devices, and a. hand lcvcr whereby the said powerdevices may be controlled.

5. In hoisting apparatus. the combination with a. brake, a lever, and a.main power device associated therewith, o'l an auxiliary power deviceconnected to said brake lever to operate the same, automatic operatingmeans for one of the power devices, and a hand lever movable a certaindistanceto operate one of the power devices alone and subsequentlymovable in the same direction to bring into action the other powerdevice.

6. In hoisting apparatus, the combination with a brake, a lever, and amain power device associated therewith, of an auxiliary power deviceconnected to said brake lever to operate the same, hand means to controlsaid power devices, and automatic means to cause operation of one of thesaid power devices.

7. In hoisting apparatus, the combination with a brake, a lever, and amain power device associated therewith, of an auxiliary power deviceconnected to said brake lever to operate the same, means to control theoperation of both of the power devices, and

automatic means 'to cause operation of one of said power devices, saidautomatic means being variably operative in accordance with variationsin speed of the hoisting apparatus.

8. In hoisting apparatus, the combination with friction means, a mainpower device, and a connecting element between said power device and thefriction'means, of an auxiliary power device comprising a steam cylinderand piston connected to said connecting element to operate the sameindependently of the main power device, a plurality of valves associatedwith said steam cylinder, hand means to operate one of said valves, andother means to operate the other of said valves.

9. In hoisting apparatus, the combination with friction means, a mainpower device, and a connecting element between said power device and thefriction means, of an auxiliary power device comprising a steam cylinderand piston connected to said connecting element to operate the sameindependently of the main povfer device, a throttle, and automatic meansconnected with said cylinder to control the operation thereof and thethrottle.

10. In hoisting apparatus, the combination with friction means, a mainpower device, and a connecting element between said power device and thefriction means, of an auxiliary power device comprising a steamcylinderand piston connected to said connecting element to operate thesame independently of the main power device, automatic operating meansfor one of the power devices, and an adjustable steam valve in directconnection with said steam cylinder to vary the effect thereof 011 thefriction means. In testimony whereof I have signed my name .to thisspecification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' HUBERT JOSEPH DEBAUCHE.

lVitnesses:

A. GRAETZ,

GREGORY PI-IELAN.

